All Star Reserves..My Verdict

As far as the starting lineup is concerned my only issue is that the fans voted Yao Ming as the starting center and his career is practically over. But this article is about the reserves that made it and if they deserved to play in the Staples Center this year or not.

Eastern Conference

• Ray Allen - The all-time leader in 3's made. Adding Jesus to the roster is a must. Verdict: Good Choice

• Chris Bosh - Not putting up the same number as he did as a Raptor due to playing with better offensive player. Verdict: Absolutely not the spot belongs to Carlos Boozer

• Kevin Garnett - One of the greatest power forwards of all-time has resurged since his knee surgery. Verdict: Of course he deserved to go

• Paul Pierce - The Truth. Nothing but the truth. Celtics most clutch player. Verdict: Of course
• Al Horford - Solid number down south and also possesses a great post-up game. Verdict: Yes
• Joe Johnson - One of the best offensive talents in the League. Verdict: Good Choice
• Rajon Rondo - Was the early favorite for NBA until Derrick Rose took over. Verdict: Duh

Western Conference

• Deron Williams - Best PG in Utah since Stockton and one the best PG's the the League. Verdict: Again one of the best
• Russell Westbrook - Will probably finish top 5 in MVP voting. Verdict: Again MVP candidate
• Dirk Nowitzki - Runner up for Rose's MVP this year. Verdict: Of course
• Kevin Love - Bad team but you can't deny his stats. Verdict: Can't keep the leading the rebounder off this roster
• Blake Griffin - Karl Malone in training is MSBG. Verdict: Human highlight real was a must
• Pau Gasol - Fundamentally sound Spaniard. Verdict: Between he & Al Jefferson but Gasol gets the nod
• Manu Ginobili - Best Spurs offensive player this year. Verdict: All-Star moves deserves an all-star nod
• Tim Duncan - Greatest power forward of all-time. Does not have to put up huge numbers anymore. Verdict: Again greatest power forward of all-time

Problems with the Miami Heat???

With the hype that the fans and media pretty much gave the Miami Heat the NBA Title before the season began, somebody forgot to tell the rest of the NBA that they must play the games. The new Big 3 are currently on a two game losing streak (both home losses) to the Utah Jazz and tonight to the Boston Celtics.

 When Pat Riley put this team together, he forgot to include a solid point guard, center and bench. This unit will have their share of blowout victories (like they did against Orlando) but their lack of not having a lead guard and bench will be the main reason this team will not win an NBA Title unless they address those issues. Deron Williams made a case why he's one of the best point guards in the lead but dictating the pace of the game. Tonight Rondo added 16 assist and the Heat were not able to control him. Chris Bosh is doing double duty playing the 4 & 5 positions and his stats are not worth $100 millions only averaging 15 pts 5 rebounds. Other than Rondo tonight, the Celtics bench ran the floor the entire night out playing the Heat bench.

How can the Heat win...the new Big 3 needs to restructure their deal so Pat Riley can afford more quality players. Mike Miller will help once he returns but he's not the solution. 

Who is the best NBA Point Guard

With the NBA season less than 10 games the point guards have dominated this season. If the MVP award were given today, several point guard are making strong cases. The question so far this season and asked by Kenny Smith..."Who is the best point guard in the NBA"? Well lets meet the contestants:

*For argument sakes Chris Paul & Deron Williams will not be mentioned*

• Brandon Jennings - Young Money is not having a sophomore slump already dropping a triple double in the first week. Some say the Kenny Anderson clone is the best point guard in the Central Division. Once his jump shot matches his quickness and passing ability, you'll have to consider the Compton native one of the best. 14pts 7ast 4 reb

• Russell Westbrook - The FIBA game did wonders for the former guard out of UCLA. He's not a true point guard but very explosive and finishes very hard at the rim. Compliments Kevin Durant very well. 20ppg 7ast 6reb

• Derrick Rose - "I WANT TO BE MVP" That's what Pooh said in the latest issue of SLAM. Already strong, fast, explosive, great passer. So far Simeon's finest has proven to be a leader of this team and is not afraid of Miami. He worked on his jump shot over the summer and if automatic, he'll be the king of the PGs hands down. Expect him to be in the running for MVP all season long. 27ppg 8ast 5reb

• Rajon Rondo - Right now the Black Irish PG is not only the best player on his team, but if the MVP award were given today Rondo would win it in a landslide. Rondo is a classic lead guard and has dished out 60 assist over 4 games (Stockton being the other). Still has a tendency to over dribble but his passing ability is second to none. Jason Kidd never worked on his jumper and he's one of the best ever. 11pppg 16ast 6reb

• John Wall - Whatever John Calipari is doing it's amazing. Flashes of Derrick Rose are completely accurate. Speed, finisher, #1 overall pick, athleticism, court vision, potential rookie of the year. FYI...he's only a rookie. 

USA Basketball Recap

With Kevin Durant's game winning block against Spain a few night ago, Team USA remained undefeated in International play. Team USA is in the pursuit for their first gold medal since 1994. Chicago's own Derrick Rose dominated down the stretch hitting clutch free throws and finishing strong with the left hand (and one).

Ricky Rubio impressed me the most as he showed why the Minnesota drafted him fifth in the 2009 NBA Draft Draft. Rubio reminds me of a taller version of Steve Nash minus the 3-point range. Spain and USA have become quite a rivalry the past five years and I can pretty much say these two teams will meet in the World Basketball Finals.

Without Howard, Boozer, Bosh, Team USA has to rely on Tyson Chandler, Brook Lopez, and Kevin Love as their big man. This current group is more athletic than the Redeem Team but not as talented. Kevin Durant is the new leader of this group according to the coaching staff and the media but Big Shot Chauncey Billups is the one these young ball players need to listen to.

Way too many slashers in this group and not enough big men and shooters. Therefore when the next cuts take place, Coach K should say goodbye to Russel Westbrook, Ruddy Gay, and Danny Grainger. Reasons being Curry, Gordan, Billups are the shooters. Rose, Rondo play the lead guard. Odom, Wallace, and Iggie are the athletic do everything forwards.

The group is good enough to win the gold along with the 2012 Olympics but they better not take Spain for granted.

NBA Finals Tied 1-1...Coaching Moves

The Boston Celtics get their wish which was a split in the Staples Center. Ray Allen set an NBA Finals record  with 8 3-point buckets made and Rondo is turning into a regular Jason Kidd by getting triple doubles every other night. The Laker front-court of Gasol & Bynum have played great thus far but without another scorer to backup Kobe (meaning step up Larmar Odom) this series might not return to Los Angeles. At this point, Rondo is the MVP of the Finals so far.

Congrats to Monty Williams on landing the New Orleans Hornets coaching gig. I remember watching Monty Williams at Notre Dame plus he was also a solid pro. For the past 5 season, Coach Williams was the assistant coach for the Portland Trailblazers...good luck in the Big Easy.

My Chicago Bulls finally land a new head coach which is defensive minded guru Tom Thibodeau. He's been the mand behind the Celtics defense but I hope he can coach offense as well and is not a Jeff Van Gundy clone.

Reports are Tom Izzo will be the next coach of the Cavs but his is all speculation and if I were Izzo, I'm not leaving Michigan State whose teams is good enough to compete for the 2011 Final 4 with Kalin Lucas returning. Unless LeBron stays in Clevaland, Coach Izzo should stay in East Lansing.

Celtics - Lakers in Trouble?

Don't prepare for the Lakers-Celtics finals just yet. Monday night in Boston, the Black Irish could not send Superman and the Orlando Magic fishin' just yet as Rajon Rondo was finally outplayed at the point guard position by his counterpart Jameer Nelson. The Big 3 for the Celtics along with Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, and Rashard Lewis are the Magic's version of the "Big 3" but the key to this series starts and end with the Nelson vs. Rondo battle. Paul Pierce missed two 3 point shot under a minute to play but the biggest question is why didn't Ray Allen take that final shot. If the Magic win a pivotal game 5 tomorrow, expect this series to got the distance.

The Lakers took the Suns lightly and now find themselves tied 2-2 against Phoenix. The Stoudamire & Nash combination was ok but the bench for Los Suns were the deciding factor tonight. Kobe Bryant is probably giving his teammates a good lashing as he was the only offensive force for the defending champs. Phil Jackson's crew is only .500 on the road but great when playing at the Staples Center.

I'm still predicting a Celtics-Lakers finals but it's just taking a little bit longer.

The Black Irish

Tonight in Boston, the Black Irish aka Boston defeated the Orlando Magic in epic porpotion 94-71 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best of seven. I'm truly dissapointed in Vince Carter in this series as he was acquired by the Magic during the draft of big series like this one. As a result we've come to realize that he is not playing like the Tar Heel or Toronto Raptor version and that's Vince is just a shell of his former self. At this point is his career, he should know when to turn it on and when to rely on Lewis, Howard, or Nelson. The Magic should have won game 2 but Vince Carter had a Nick Anderson moment missing clutch free throws down the strech. Another double-double for Rajon Rondo with 11 points and 12 assist including a nasty crossover on White Chocolate Jason Williams in the first half.  It's safe to say the natives in Boston will be chanting......BEAT LA....BEAT LA......BEAT LA.....BEAT LA....starting Tuesday.

Tomorrow the Los Angeles Lakers hope to comand a 3-0 lead against the offensive minded Phoenix Suns. Unless Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire commit to defense (yeah right) this series is just about over and David Stern gets his Lakers-Celtics finals ratings bonanza.

Well, my time in Clevaland was......ok but I'm ready to get back to Chicago.

Who Should play in Dallas

With the All-Star lineup announcement scheduled for January 21st, the usual suspects (Bryant, James, Wade, Duncan) have guaranteed starting spots until they retire. In this two part blog I'm here to announce it's time for some new blood to shine in the all-star games. Right now I will announce the potential first time all-stars for the eastern conference followed by the western conference tomorrow.

Eastern Conference candidates:

• Derrick Rose - The 2008 Rookie of the Year started out slow with an ankle injury but has now regained form. Pooh is starting to score more and is a human highlight real. 18 PPG - 6 AST Verdict: IN
• 
  
• Brandon Jennings - Young Money has the season high in points (55). Kenny Anderson in training. Also avg 18 PPG and 6 AST but even LeBron didn't make it his rookie year. Verdict: OUT
• 
  
• Brook Lopez - Take away his team's record but just focus on his number. 18 PPG - 9 REB - 2 BLK. Playing for the worst team in the League does not bold well for this twin. Verdict: OUT
• 
  
• Joakim Noah - Candidate for most improved averaging a double double. 11 PPG - 12 REB. Verdict: OUT
• 
  
• Gerald Wallace - Should have made the game last year. Finally averaging a double double.      17 PPG along with 11 REB. Verdict: IN
• 
  
• Rajon Rondo - Could he be the 4th Celtic to make the game? Fake behind the back pass works everytime. 14 PPG - 9 AST - 2 SPG. Verdict: IN
• 
  
• Josh Smith - A lefty version of Gerald Wallace which involves highlight dunks, blocks, and playing both ends. Verdict: OUT